SANParks sees increase in visitors during free week to national parks
South Africans indulged in this year's SANParks week, and saw almost 100 000 day visitors.
Almost 100 000 people visited national parks between September 16 and September 25 as part of the South African National Parks Week held by South African National Park (SANParks).
This was a significant increase from the number of visitors last year which reached a total of just over 72 000.
The campaign, under the established theme ‘Know your national parks’, allowed South Africans an opportunity to spend a day in a national park of their choice, free of charge.
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SANParks CEO, Hapiloe Sello, said the objective of the week was to give all South Africans a chance to enjoy and experience the beauty and majesty of the breathtaking national parks.
“We had just over 94 000 people visit the parks during the focus week this year which is 30% higher than 2022’s numbers. National Parks Week aims to create a culture of pride in all South Africans in their relationship with the country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage,” said Sello.
“When people start to take pride in the national parks, then we believe that they will start to understand the importance of conservation.”
Since its inception in 2006, National Parks Week has seen an influx of 785 621 day visitors in all participating parks. SANParks has thanked all people who took part in this week, especially educators and school groups.
